Ruth Hepner (Wiebe-Heppner)

With sadness we announce on Monday, September 11, 2023, Ruth Hepner passed away with family by her side at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 73 years.

Left to treasure her memory are her husband Thomas Hepner; children Josie (Rusty) Anderson, Jon (Michelle) Wiebe and Jacqueline Gold; grandchildren Bryan, Sabrina, Amy, Joel (Ronald), Steven, Hannah, Andrew and Joshua Byers, Jared, Jaylin, Callie and Judah Wiebe, Dianna Shumila; great-grandchildren Nygel, Devan, Vienna, Mickita, Carter, Odin, Zacharias and Cierra; siblings John (Margaret) Heppner, Tony Heppner, Katherine Stobbe, Tim (Barb) Heppner, Madeline Thiessen and Paul (Joann) Heppner; along with numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  She was predeceased by her husband John Wiebe; parents Ed and Mary Heppner; infant brother and sister Esther.

Marilyn Joanne Ruth Hepner was born December 3, 1949 at the Winkler Bethel Hospital to Ed & Mary Heppner. She was the sixth child of nine and attended Rose Farm School up until Grade eight, then attended Lowe Farm High School. They lived one mile away from school and would take the horse & buggy which big brother Johnny would drive. Ruth accepted Jesus as her Savior at the young age of three and was water baptized at the age of 12 in October 1962 in a dug out. Another important thing happened at age 12. That’s when she first laid eyes on John Wiebe. He was playing the mandolin in Janzen Musical Strings in which he also sang as a tenor, at Grossweide Mennonite Brethren Church and said to herself – this is the man I’m going to marry! And she did! They married September 4, 1966 in the Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church. John and Ruth lived in Winkler, moved to Steinback and eventually Portage la Prairie where they remained. They had three children – Jackie, Josie & Jonathon. Dad was very involved in music, which their life revolved around. Mom enjoyed playing the piano, teaching Sunday School, led Youth Group, and they were always very involved in the church they attended. Mom never sat still. She was always baking, making food, having people over and trying to rescue someone. She worked three jobs at one time. Robin’s Donuts, home care and MDC. Eventually she would have one job at MDC where she would eventually retire. We can’t forget Mom’s Humor! Later in life she brought her humor on stage and performed many comedy acts and people loved her and she loved to make them laugh! Her greatest love was her family. She loved every one of her children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren. She also got a second chance at love when Dad passed, and met Tom Hepner. They married November 4, 2010 and enjoyed many adventures together. Mom always made everyone feel special. Bringing ‘just because’ treats & flowers. She was so proud of any accomplishment any of her family made. She never gave up on anyone and we knew she was always praying for us. Mom and Tom took in one of her great-grandsons for a year even after she was diagnosed with cancer in March of 2022. Her kindness was never ending. Mom, you are missed so much already! Her prayer was that one day all her family would be gathered together with Jesus for eternity.

Viewing and visitation will be held at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel on Thursday, September 14, 2023 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Funeral Service will take place at Highway Pentecostal Church, Portage la Prairie, MB on Friday, September 15, 2023 at 1:00 pm.  Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery.

As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made in Ruth’s memory to a charity of one’s choice.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com